A-B. From the trailhead cross the road and follow the purple (and green and blue) arrows onto the sandy lane between the church and Doran’s pub. The green and blue arrows are for shorter loops. Continue along the sandy lane for more than 1km to a junction with a forestry road on your left. The loop proper begins here - you will return to this point from the opposite direction later - for now, turn left.

B-C. Continue to follow the purple (and green and blue) arrows along the forestry road for 3km - enjoying some fine views of the surrounding countryside on the way - before rejoining the sandy lane at what is known locally as the ‘hairpin’. The green loop veers right here - you veer left following the purple (and blue) arrows.

C-D. Follow the surfaced roadway downhill for 200m to a sharp left bend - and veer right onto a narrow forestry track. Continue to follow this track as it ascends over the next 500m to reach a 3-way junction where the blue loop goes straight - but you turn left. Descend past a sharp left bend and sharp right bend before a straight stretch of almost 1.5km takes you to a 3-way junction where you turn sharp right. Over the next 1km you ascend to reach the highest point of the loop (360m) at a 3-way junction on the shoulder of Slieveboy. Shortly afterwards, you rejoin the blue loop and descend for 300m to exit the forestry and rejoin the sandy lane you started out on. Turn left and downhill.

D-A. After only 200m you reach the junction at B above from where you began the loop. This time proceed straight ahead and enjoy the 1km back to the trailhead.